Andie Wallace recently represented Madill’s Speech and Drama team at Poetry OutLoud,whichtookplaceon March 7 at the the University of Central Oklahoma’s Oklahoma A+ Institute Schools in Edmond. Her sophomore English teacher and speech coach, Lori Hartin, expressed her pride in Wallace and applauded her hard work, noting how much she has grown through her time in the activity.
Although this was Wallace's first time on stage, as a poet, powerlifter, and softball player, she worked through her nerves and pointed out that being on the platform or at bat ties into progressing into being more comfortable in front of a crowd. Wallace competed more confidently in Domestic Extemporaneous Forum and Original Oratory for Speech due to her experience with Poetry Out Loud.
Wallace competed at the OklahomaSoutheastRegional Tournament on March 25 and became the 1st alternate for original oratory. She recalled how her initial nerves went away after finishing her first poem, and she then recited 'The Delight Song of Tsoai-Talee', a poem by N. Scott Momaday, who was born in Lawton, Okla. The poem depicts the poet's connection with the stunning nature humans witness.
Hartin described Wallace as 'relentless,' emphasizing her persistence in the pursuit of greatness and her consistency in improvement. Opportunities like Poetry Out Loud provide students withaplethoraofexperiences to challenge themselves and prepare for success in a changing world through storytelling.